GTP NASCAR SPRINT CUP S3 Champs: RFLX_Niop, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota

[Knelly]

Everyone is capable of making the Chase, and for some, all they need to do is win a race at 'Tona or SSX as Mudd said. Winning the 500 on Saturday would take one hell of a load off peoples mind to getting there. The longer the regular season goes on without a win, the more nerve wracking it's going to become at the crunch end.

Within the Chase a lot of it will then come down to the best and most sound team strategy I believe, whether the rest of your team are in the Chase or not. There will be those drivers who didn't make it but for sure will not want to lose a potential seat in S4, so everyone will be racing for wins still, as well as impressing with team tactics.

This will come down to the last week (again), but there may be more than three drivers in with a shout this year!

PS, just making sure I was in Drops' list up there 👍

 

[MustangRyan]

I think the top 3-4 drivers will separate themselves more than ever this season. The top 3-4 guys are going to have solid results every week, at every type of track. The second tier of drivers are going to be in hot pursuit. But, when they have a bad week, they aren't going to salvage a 7th. They are going to finish around 13th. Bad points days are about to become really bad points days.

 

[Mudd]

Good point. Another factor that I hadn't considered is the nice spring/summer weather coming. It's going to get increasingly difficult for many of us to have perfect attendance in here. That could be a huge factor.

 

[MustangRyan]

I think the real fight is going to be for 8th, to be guaranteed a Chase spot, and for the two wild cards.

 

[Acorner123]

I think the real fight is going to be for 8th, to be guaranteed a Chase spot, and for the two wild cards.

Yeah I love this chase format. And I don't think I've ever been this excited about racing on gt5 before!

 

[Mudd]

A more accurate sig.

 

[kenkwilinski]

Here's the New 2012 Season 3 Race #1 preview. Looks like we picked up a few sponsors since Season 2

 

[MustangRyan]

I think Carl Edwards's firesuit is going to look like that one day, with 36 title sponsors for 36 races.

 

[Knelly]

But he couldn't have done it without his sponsors

 

[Mudd]

Off topic, but I wanted to show you guys what I've been doing all morning while chatting it up here on the thread.

I drove this vehicle into the shop this morning, it was completely assembled then, and should be again before I leave today. Okay, back to work!

 

[kenkwilinski]

Is it a Chevy Truck? Just guessing

 

[Knelly]

Where's the steering wheel

 

[cgr-10]

DexterWhite5150 and Joe Gibbs Racing GT5 Team have parted ways as of 3/20/12. JGR has cited his reckless behavior and failure to comply with team conduct policies as a leading reason for the split. Dexter has stated that he now intends to focus his time on iRacing.

With this in mind, JGR's #11 Cup seat is now an open ride and JGR officials will be evaluating what the next step will be in filling the ride. We may or may not put a driver in the car for the 500.

As far as I'm aware man, if you take on a Nationwide driver in the #11 who has already decided to take drivers points in that series, they can't swap and earn drivers points in the Sprint Cup instead, just like IRL. They can still earn owners points for you though 👍

 

[Müle]

Alright, so apparently my expectations aren't very high. Not sure what to think of this.

 

[cgr-10]

Alright, so apparently my expectations aren't very high. Not sure what to think of this.

What do you mean man?

 

[Mudd]

I wouldn't put too much into that, Mule. I think I could only pick about 3 or 4 guys to for sure make it into the chase, the rest won't be decided until the last regular season race. It's going to be close for everyone.

 

[Knelly]

^^ This mate.

 

[MustangRyan]

Alright, so apparently my expectations aren't very high. Not sure what to think of this.

I would have put you in the spot that RedPartyHat got, as a points entry, but his tirewear setup has me thinking he's going to steal a race at some point and get in with a win.

 

[MustangRyan]

I feel very certain that RFLX, Joe, ACDC, M-Stall, Knelly and myself are most likely to get in the Chase pretty safely on points alone. That's 6 spots.

That leaves me 2 guaranteed spots for Crazy, Mudd, Dowhat, DriveTheGuard, Mule, Red, Matty, Tom, and Furi.

I just guessed that Mudd and Crazy probably would get the last two spots, because they are pretty solid, would be working together, and have the most extra teammates to help them in drafting races. Could it be another driver? Of course.

The last two spots could go to the 9th and 10th place in points, or anyone outside the top 8 that wins a race. My gut tells me that with Joe's help, Tom is almost certainly going to be very close on points, if not already in. Plus, I really like Red's chances to grab a race win with his extremely long tirewear setup at Daytona.

Obviously, I could be way off base with most of those guesses, but going into the season, that is how I would handicap the field based on my intuition.

 

[kenkwilinski]

It was hard to decide the eight drivers Crazy's Top Eight To Watch Race #1 Preview. The first four I believe were for sure things on paper. But 5th - 8th left some drivers out like Furi, DoWhat & Mule. So Mule don't be all down because of this and Droptops picks for Chase. I have developed a ranking system that's complex. It is based on Career stats. And you are ranked #11 overall Mule. That's good! That's out of 40+ drivers!

 

[cgr-10]

I feel very certain that RFLX, Joe, ACDC, M-Stall, Knelly and myself are most likely to get in the Chase pretty safely on points alone. That's 6 spots.

That leaves me 2 guaranteed spots for Crazy, Mudd, Dowhat, DriveTheGuard, Mule, Red, Matty, Tom, and Furi.

I just guessed that Mudd and Crazy probably would get the last two spots, because they are pretty solid, would be working together, and have the most extra teammates to help them in drafting races. Could it be another driver? Of course.

The last two spots could go to the 9th and 10th place in points, or anyone outside the top 8 that wins a race. My gut tells me that with Joe's help, Tom is almost certainly going to be very close on points, if not already in. Plus, I really like Red's chances to grab a race win with his extremely long tirewear setup at Daytona.

Obviously, I could be way off base with most of those guesses, but going into the season, that is how I would handicap the field based on my intuition.

Joe's setups are running a dream and we were bumping well at the weekend in both races. If I drive to my potential I think I should be able to salvage a wild card spot.

 

[Mudd]

Meh...I think I'll just go ahead and win the 500, then I don't have to worry about it.

 

[Niop]

Well, it looks like my schedule has taken a turn for the worse. I will be missing the Indy 150 and Monza.

 

[Knelly]

 

[MustangRyan]

With your average performance, I think you'll still have enough points to get into the top 8. If not, it looks like you're getting a wild card spot with a couple wins.

 

[DrifterJoe]

Niop missing Monza? Now I won't know how my pace there compares to his until next season. Monza suddenly looks like my best opportunity to get a win on the board early in the season, especially considering the pace I've shown when practicing there.

I'm hoping to get all 3 Ford cars into the chase, but I think Furi's limited schedule might end up preventing him from getting in.

 

[Knelly]

That's OK Joe, I hope to be running Niops pace by the time it comes around ..... two and a half weeks to get there

 

[kenkwilinski]

Here's a Cumulative Ranking Chart. This shows your Career Ranking in this Series.

It may look vague but if you take in account all the stats I have posted (https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6817052#post6817052) and put it into a Chart it Looks like this PDF. Then I further break it down into Teams.

And be sure to Check Out the Race #1 Preview
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6854146#post6854146

 

[MustangRyan]

My second overall ranking is very misleading. I have never missed a start, and compiled great-looking stats in the barely-occupied first season. Last place could be a top 5 or even a podium in some of those races. Honestly, if you really want to know where a driver stands, take a hard look at season two stats. I would say I'm barely a top 5 driver, overall.

 

[Knelly]

Same here really mate, I had a poor start to S2 but the S1 stats kept me up there.

Saying that, I know I am a top 5 driver, at worst, so it all evens out 👍